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No. 687,956. Patented Dec. 3,4901. F. K. FASSETT. I

BRAKE BEAM.

(Application filed Sept. 27, 1901.)

(N o M n d al y fy fi ngiSEFasseii I .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIs K. FASSETT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, RY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, o CHICAGO RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BRAKE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,956, dated December 3, 1901.

Application filed September 27, 1901. Serial ND. 76,779. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS K. FAssETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Brake-Beams, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved brake-beam, oneend thereof being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an elevational view,the lefthand half of said figure being a rear elevational view and the. right-hand half of said figure being a front elevational view, Fig. 3 is an end elevaiional View of my improved brake-beam.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in brake-beams of that type known as trussed brake-beams.

Myimproved brake-beam comprehends the use of a compression member, preferably in the form of a tube, a strut located about the middle of said compression member, said strut being provided with an opening for re cciving a brake-lever, and a tension member whose ends engage movable blocks arranged exteriorly the brake-heads. Means are provided for adjusting the blocks alongthe brakeheads, whereby tension may be placed in the tension-rod and a camber produced in the compression member, so that the beam is resilient to the extent that suddenly-applied loads will not permanently set the beam.

The object of this invention is to simplify the construction of a beam of the character described, enabling the parts to be easily assembled, which will permit of repairs being easily and quickly made.

With these Objects in View the invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described and afterward pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A indicates the tubular compression member, which is preferably in the form of a wrought-iron pipe or pipe of other material, the ends of said pipe being recessed, as shown at a.

B represents the strut formed with an eye I) at its rear end, through which the compression member passes. This strut receives the brake-lever, as is well understood. The outer end of strut B is provided with a recess or seat for the tension-rod, as shown.

0 indicates the brake-heads, whose front faces are of usual construction, said brakeheads being provided with a lug or teat c to cooperate with the recesses a in the ends of the compression member. By this construction it will be observed that when the brake-head is seated on the end of the compression member the teat c in the recess a will prevent said head from turning. In fact the heads have no inclination to turn, as the connection therebetween and the compression member is such that the heads are centered in their position.

Extending laterally from the brake-heads are lugs c, which lugs are preferably perforated for the passage of a bolt d. This bolt engages a sliding block, which block forms a saddle for the end of the tension member.

E indicates the tension member, provided with beads or shoulders on its ends, which are seated in the saddle-blocks D. The ends of this tension member pass through the recesses a of the compression member and through the brake-heads, the middle portion being seated in the groove in the end of strut B.

In operation when the bolts d are tightened the saddle-blocks D are forced rearwardly and, being guided by the outer faces of the brake-heads, will travel in paths tangential Ifdesired, a nut-lock maybe used in connection with the heads of bolts d to prevent said bolts from unscrewing after once being set.

It will be noticed that the blocks D are provided with appropriate seats for the shouldered ends of the tension member, that the bolts (Z are subjected to compression strains only, and that when the parts are assembled the blocks D are in axial alinement with the compression member. Instead of having the ends of the tension member pass through slots in the ends of the compression member said compression member could be crimped longitudinally to accommodate the tension member.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my invention may i be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

11. In a brake-beam, the combination with a compression member, of brake-heads on the ends thereof, a strut, a tension member having its ends passing through the brake-heads,

and movable seats for the ends of the tension member; substantially as described.

2. In a brake-beam, the combination with a compression member, of brake-heads on the ends thereof, astrut, a tension member having shouldered ends passing through the brakeheads, and movable seats for the shouldered ends of the tension member; substantially as described.

3. In abrake-beam, the combination with a compression member, of brakeheads on the intersecting the axes of the ends of the compression member, and movable seats for the ends of the tension member; substantially as described.

5. In a brake-beam, the combination with compression member, whose ends are formed to receive and accommodate the ends of the tension member, brake-heads, means for preventing rotation of said brake-heads on the ends of the compression. member, a tension member having its ends passing through the brake-heads, and movable seats arranged externally the brake-heads for receiving the ends of the tension member; substantially as described.

6. In a brake-beam, the combination with a compression member, of brake-heads on the ends thereof,said brake-heads being provided with openings in axial alinement with the compression member, a strut, a tension member having its ends passing through the brakeheads, movable seats for the ends of the ten sion member, said seats spanning the openings in the brake-heads, and means for moving'said seats and locking them in adjusted positions; substantially as described.

7. In a brake-beam, the combination with a tubular compression member, formed with recesses in its ends, of brake-heads on the ends of said compression member and provided with lugs adapted to fit in said recesses, whereby the brake-heads are prevented from turning, a strut, a tension member Whose ends pass through the recesses in the ends of the compression member and through openings in the brake-heads, movable blocks in which the ends of thetension member are seated, lugs on the brake'heads, and setscrews passing through said lugs and engaging said blocks, whereby the ends of the tension member are forced rearwardly and tension placed in the tension member, and the compression member cambered; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 25th day of September, 1901.

FRANCIS K. FASSETT.

Witnesses:

GEORGE BAKEWELL, G. A. PENNINGTON. 

